French police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse hundreds of migrants looking to board boats headed for Britain, while some officers were seen entering the water and dragging them back to shore.
Pictures on Friday showed what appeared to be tear gas being launched at migrants at Gravelines, near Calais, with large white clouds of smoke seen billowing in the air.
Other images showed asylum seekers standing knee-deep in the water, with police officers, wearing helmets and holding shields, following them into the sea to drag them back to shore.
But ultimately, French officers were said to have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of people attempting to clamber onto the small boats.
The tactic used by French police appeared to be a change in approach from earlier this week.
